Associate Teacher/Teacher

The Providence Center Associate Teacher/Teacher Imgaine Preschool collaborates with the team and is responsible for supporting the healthy development and learning of all children in their classroom. This goal is achieved by working in close collaboration with and under the supervision of the Imagine Director; developing and directly providing individually, culturally, and developmentally appropriate preschool curriculum that engages children and their families in coordination with the Early Childhood Educator/Manager. 

• Assume responsibility for the protection and safety of a group of children (with and without disabilities) in the Imagine program. 
• Commit to and implement Imagine curriculum in collaboration and with strong communication with Early Childhood Educator/Manager – designing, implementing and assessing daily routines, schedules and learning experiences that address the RI Early Learning Standards.  
• During regularly scheduled planning meetings, provide professional guidance for Associate Teacher/Program Assistant as they implement Imagine curriculum. 
• Develop positive relationships with colleagues as well as families and children who attend Imagine Preschool.  
• Assume responsibility for planning a beautiful, orderly, enriching, child-centered environment. Ensure that classroom space is well-maintained. Support the Imagine program to ensure its operations run smoothly and effectively. 
• Use evidence-based practices integrated into curriculum that support positive relationships, supportive learning environments, and the development of children’s social/emotional, language, physical and cognitive skills. 
• Use developmentally appropriate assessment tools and collect data to inform curriculum and guide learning of children in the classroom; maintain child development and learning data in individual portfolios to support planning as well as referrals for special services if needed.
• Assist in lunch set up and clean up in classrooms adhering to infection control protocols. 
• Implement daily routines, schedules, and learning experiences in Imagine Preschool extended day program.
• Collaborate with team to provide continuity in programming from Pre K program to extended day program.
• Support and model respectful collegial relationships within Imagine Preschool learning environments.
• Support parent engagement in the program and treat families with respect at all times.
• Support inclusion of children with disabilities by modifying or adapting curriculum as directed, and collaborating with special service providers as needed.
• Welcome visiting community providers into classroom space during observations.
• Monitor confidentiality in accordance with Center policy and legal requirements.
• Complete required reports and evaluations.
• Follow required office procedures in a cooperative manner.
• Initiate and process incident reports as per Center guidelines.
• Adhere to Infection Control protocols.
• Deal with team members regarding problems in a constructive manner.
• Accept and use direction and supervision.
• Benefit from constructive criticism.
• Attend trainings and conferences.
• Attend mandatory in-service trainings, other required trainings and monthly staff meetings.
• Provide feedback to staff on the content of educational programs attended.
• Perform related duties as requested to support program goals.

Education and Experience:

Option 1 

• RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Special Education, and  
• a Level II RI Early Learning Standards certificate.

Option 2 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Human Development, or Child Development from an accredited or approved Institution of Higher Education, and
• a Level II RI Early Learning Standards certificate, and
• a minimum of 3 months of successful supervised teaching* in a licensed/ approved education program for the appropriate age level (student teaching may fulfill), and
• an individualized plan for completing requirements to be a professionally prepared early childhood teacher as defined in Option 1 within 1 year. The Imagine Center must submit documentation of progress toward plan completion annually to the RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as part of the Imagine Center early childhood education program’s annual approval renewal. 

*Supervised teaching is defined as a teaching experience in accordance with an individualized professional development plan that is overseen by someone qualified as an Early Childhood Education Coordinator as defined in 5.1 of these standards and that includes active regularly scheduled supervision and review and documentation of the individual’s work. 

Additional Requirements:

• Adult/Child/Infant CPR and First Aid certification maintained and renewed as needed.

• Knowledge of child development, learning, and various influences on development for ages 0–5.

• Skilled in working with young children and their families.
• Strong understanding of health, safety, wellness, and regulatory requirements for preschool settings.
• Ability to build respectful, collaborative relationships with families and connect them to community resources.
• Understanding of developmentally appropriate, play‑based curriculum tailored to individual needs and interests.
• Ability to use the environment, interactions, and materials as teaching tools.
• Ability to differentiate instruction for various learning styles and developmental levels.
• Strong knowledge of authentic assessment methods and use of multiple information sources.
• Ability to use assessment data to set goals and plan curriculum.
• Ability to clearly communicate assessment information to families and professionals.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to read, interpret, and follow instructions and documents.
• Ability to write reports and correspondence and communicate effectively with families and colleagues.
• Ability to apply practical reasoning to follow instructions in various formats.
• Ability to solve problems involving multiple concrete variables in standardized situations.

Care New England Health System (CNE) and its member institutions, Butler Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, Kent Hospital, VNA of Care New England, Integra, The Providence Center, and Care New England Medical Group, is a trusted, integrated health care organization that fuels the latest advances in medical research, attracts the nation’s top specialty-trained doctors, hones renowned services and innovative programs, and engages in the important discussions people need to have about their health and end-of-life wishes. Care New England is helping to transform the future of health care, providing a leading voice in the ongoing effort to ensure the health of the individuals and communities we serve.

Americans with Disability Act Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job-specific functions either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation, to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.

EEOC Statement: Care New England is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status

Ethics Statement: Employee conducts himself/herself consistent with the ethical standards of the organization including, but not limited to hospital policy, mission, vision, and values.